Hinges and method of making same



M. SCHNUR HINGES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME June 21, 1966 Filed Dec. 6,1963 INVENTOR.

MA THE W SCHNUR United States Patent O 3,256,553 HINGES AND NIETHOD OFMAKING SAME Mathew Schnur, Chicago, 111., assignor to InvisoCorporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 6,1963, Ser. No. 328,529 10 Claims. (Cl. 16-178) This invention relates tohinges and the method of making same.

It is a primary object of the present invention to afford a novel hingeof the type commonly referred to as concealed hinges, for use inmounting doors on cabinets, cupboards, building structures, and thelike.

Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel hinge ofthe aforementioned type which affords a pleasing appearance and arelatively smooth exposed surface when a door supported thereby isdisposed in open position.

Another object is to afford a novel hinge of the aforementioned typewherein the parts thereof are so constituted and arranged that a doorsupported thereby may be opened a full 180 degrees from fully closedposition.

Yet another object is to afiord a novel concealed hinge of theaforementioned type which may be mounted in a relatively small openingin a door.

A further object is to afford a novel hinge of the aforementioned typeembodying novel parts in the form of a chordal segment of a circle,wherein the parts are constituted and arranged in a novel andexpeditious manner whereby they afford supporting surfaces engaged witheach other over substantial areas in all positions of the hinge.

Yet another object is to afiord a novel concealed hinge which may berelatively small and compact in size while affording relatively greatsupporting strength for a door, or the like.

A further object is to afford a novel concealed hinge of theaforementioned type which is effective and eflicient in operation, andwhich may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following description and claims and are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show preferredembodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and whatI now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applyingthese principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the sameor equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be madeas desired by those skilled in the art without departing from thepresent invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hinge embodying the principles of thepresent invention, showing the hinge disposed in position to support adoor on a door jamb, with the door open 90 degrees;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the hinge shown in FIG. 1, withthe hinge shown in closed position, and disposed in operative positionin a door and door jamb;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the hinge shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 66in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a detail sectional view similar to FIG. 5, but showing theparts thereof disposed in fully open position;

FIG. 8 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 88in FIG. 2; and

Patented June 21, 1966 "ice .in size in a horizontally extendingdirection. Each is in the form of a chordal segment of a circle (i.e.,the periphery thereof is defined by an arc of a circle and the chord ofthat arc)- and is somewhat less than semi-circular in size. In theassembled hinge 1, the hinge segments 2-4 are so constituted andarranged relative to each other that, when they are disposed in closedposition, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, they are disposed in verticallyaligned stacked relation to each other, and when the hinge 1 is vdisposed in fully open position, as shown in FIG. 7, the

hinge segments 2 and 3 are disposed out of vertical alignment with eachother, and the hinge segment 4 extends therebetween. In all positions ofthe hinge 1 substantial areas of adjacent hinge segments 24 are disposedin supporting engagement with each other.

The upper hinge segment 2 embodies a main body portion 7 and anauxiliary body portion 8, FIGS. 3 and 4. The main body portion 7embodies a flat, substantially smooth upper wall 9, in the form of achordal segment of a circle, and an arcuate-shaped flange 10 projectingdown wardly from the arcuate peripheral edge portion of the wall 9. Theflange 10 extends completely along the outer arcuate periphery of thewall 9 and is disposed substantially perpendicular to the latter.Another arcuateshaped flange 11 projects radially inwardly from thelower edge portion of the arcuate-shaped flange 10. The flange 11extends along the entire length of the flange 10, and is disposedsubstantially perpendicular thereto. The main body portion 7 of theupper hinge segment 2 also embodies a rear wall 12, which forms thechord of the aforementioned chordal segment of a circle of which theflange 10 forms the arc.

The auxiliary body portion 8 of the upper hinge segment 2 is in the formof a substantially flat, chordal segment of a circle, having an arcuateperipheral edge portion 13 and a rear wall. The rear wall 14 forms thechord of a segment of a circle, of which the arcuate peripheral edgeportion 13 forms the arc. The auxiliary body portion 8 has a shorterchord length than the main body portion 7, and is mounted on the lowerface of the top wall 9 in downwardly projecting relation thereto, withthe rear wall '14 disposed in uniplanar relation to the rear wall 12,and with the peripheral edge portion 13 disposed in inwardly spaced,parallel relation to the flange 10. The flange 11 of the main bodyportion 7 overlaps the outer peripheral edge portion of the auxiliarybody portion 8, and is spaced downwardly therefrom in a plane which ispreferably disposed in substantially parallel relation to the lower faceof the auxiliary body portion 8.

With this construction, the upper hinge segment 2 embodies ahorizontally disposed, radially inwardly opening recess 15 disposedbetween the flange 11 and the lower face of the auxiliary body portion8, and an arcuate, downwardly opening recess 16 disposed between theperipheral edge portion 13 of the auxiliary body portion 8 and the innerface of the flange 10 of the main body portion 7, the recess 16 openinginto the outer peripheral edge portion of the recess 15.

The lower hinge segment 3 is identical in construction to the upper edgesegment 2 except that it is a mirror image thereof. Hence it embodies amain body portion 17 having a lower wall 18, arcuate-flanges 19 and 20,and a rear wall 21; and an auxiliary body portion 22 disposed betweenthe lower wall 13 and the flange 20, the auxiliary body portion 22having a rear wall 23 and an arcuate peripheral edge portion 24, andbeing mounted on the lower wall 18 with the rear Wall 23 disposed inuniplanar relation to the rear wall 21, and with the peripheral edgeportion 24 disposed inwardly of the flange 19 in parallel spacedrelation thereto. The lower hinge segment '3 also includes a radiallyinwardly opening recess 25 disposed between the flange 20 and theauxiliary body portion 22, and an upwardly opening recess 26 disposedbetween the arcuate peripheral edge portion 24 of the auxiliary bodyportion 22 and the flange .19 of the main body portion 17, the recess 26opening into the outer peripheral edge portion of the recess 25.

The upper hinge segment 2 and the lower hinge segment 3 may be made ofsuitable material, such as, for example, steel, and I prefer to make themain body portions 7 and 17 and auxiliary body portions 8 and 22thereof, respectively, as separate parts and subsequently secure themtogether by suitable means such as, for example, spot welding. Thus, forexample, in the manufacture of the upper hinge segment 2 a substantiallyflat blank having the shape of a chordal segment of a circle, and ofsuitable size for the main body portion 7, may first be formed; and thenin successive stamping, or other suitable forming operations, aperipheral edge portion 10-11 may first be turned into a positionwherein it projects perpendicularly from the wall portion 9, and theperipheral edge portion 11 may then be bent into the aforementionedradially inwardly projecting relation to the flange 10. Thereafter, theauxiliary body portion, after being formed by a suitable operation, suchas, stamping, may be disposed in proper operative position on the lowerface of the wall 9 'of the main body portion 7, and may be suitablysecured thereto such as, for example, by welding. The lower hingesegemnt 3, of course, may be constructed in the same manner.

If desired, each of the upper hinge segments 2 and lower hinge segments3 may be manufactured as a single unitary part. Thus, for example, theupper hinge segment 2 may be formed from a single suitable blank by astamping operation or other suitable forming operation, so that theauxiliary body portion 8 is formed as an integral projection of the topwall 9 of the main body portion 7, with the flange portions 10 and 11projecting outwardly from the top wall 9 in uniplanar relation to thelatter. Thereafter, in consecutive stamping, or other suitable formingoperations, the flange portions 1t 11 may be bent downwardly intoperpendicular projecting relation to the top wall 9; and the flangeportion 11 may thereafter be bent into its radially inwardly projectingposition shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The lower hinge segment 3 may be formedinthe same manner.

The intermediate hinge segment 4 includes an upper plate 27 and a lowerplate 28, which are identical in construction to each other. The upperplate 27 includes a flat, substantially smooth central body portion 29,which is in the form of a chordal segment of a circle. An arcuate-shapedflange portion 30 projects upwardly from the arcuate-peripheral edgeportion of the central body portion 29. The flange portion 30 extendsalong the entire length of the arcuate peripheral portion of the mainbody portion 29, and another flange portion 31 projects radiallyoutwardly from the upper edge portion thereof in substantiallyperpendicular relation to the flange portion 30. The

flange portion 31 extends along the entire length of the The platechordal segment of a circle of which the radially outer face of theflange 32 forms the arc.

The plate 28 is identical in construction to the plate 27, and is merelydisposed in upside down position relative thereto. Thus, the plate 28includes a central body portion 34, flanges 35, 36, and 37, and a rearwall 38, which are constituted and arranged relative to each other inthe same manner that the body portion 29, the flanges 30-31, and therear Wall 33 of the upper plate 27 are disposed relative to each other.In the assembled hinge segment 4, the plates 27 and '28 are disposed instacked relation to each other, with the central body portions 29 and 34disposed in abutting juxtaposition to each other and with the flanges 30and 31, and 35 and 37 projecting in opposite directions relative to eachother. The plates 27 and 28, in the assembled hinge segment 4, aresecured to each other by suitable means, such as, for example, spotwelding.

When the hinge 1 is in assembled condition, the upper and lower hingesegments 2 and 3 are mounted on 0pposite sides of the intermediate hingesegment 4, with the ribs 31 and 32 disposed in the recesses 15 and 16,

respectively, and with the ribs 36 and 37 disposed in the recesses 25and 26, respectively. The ribs 31, 32, 36, and 37 are disposed in therecesses 15, 16, 25, and 26 with a relatively snug, but freely slidaolefit, so that the intermediate hinge segment 4 is freely rotatablymounted in the upper and lower hinge segments 2 and 3, but the hingesegments 24 are effectively held against vertical or radial movementrelative to each other.

The hinge plates 5 and 6 are identical to each other in construction.Each includes a substantially flat, rectangular-shaped body portion 39having a rectangularshaped recess 40 formed in the central portion ofone longitudinal edge portion 139 thereof, FIG. 4. A substantially flattongue or flange 41 projects outwardly from the main body portion 39from one lateral edge of the recess 49. Preferably, the tongue 41 isstruck out from the main body portion 39 and is bent outwardly relativethereto in forming the recess 40. The tongue 41 in each of the hingeplates 5 and 6 is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation tothe main body portion 39 thereof. Openings 42 are formed in each of theend portions of the body portion 39 of the hinge plates 5 and 6 forreceiving mounting screws, or the like.

In mounting the hinge plate 5 on the upper hinge segment 2, the hingesegment 2 is disposed in the recess 46 thereof with the tongue 41disposed on the upper face of the top wall 9 in abutting juxtapositionthereto. The recess 40 is preferably of slightly greater depth than theradial width of the upper hinge segment 2, and the hinge plate 5 isdisposed in such position on the hinge segment 2 that the face 43 of themain body portion 29, remote from the tongue 41 is disposed in the samevertical plane as the plane which is perpendicular to the end wall 12 atthe longitudinal center thereof, with the tongue 41 of the hingeplate-Sprojecting from this plane to the left, as viewed inFlG. 3, and with thelongitudinal edge portron 139 disposed in uniplanar relation to the rearwall 12. The hinge plate 5 may be secured to the upper hinge segment 2by any suitable means such as, for example, by spot Welding the tongue41 thereof to the upper wall 9.

The hinge plate 6 is mounted on the lower hinge seg ments 3 in the samemanner as the hinge plate 5 is mounted on the upper hinge segment 2, thetongue 41 being secured to the lower wall 18 by suitable means, such aswelding, and-the body portion 39 of the hinge plate 6 being disposed onthe lower hinge segment 3 with the face 43 thereof disposed in uniplanarrelation to the plane which is perpendicular to the rear wall 23 at thelongitudinal center thereof, and with the longitudinal edge portion 139of the body portion 39 of the hinge plate 6 disposed in uniplanarrelation to the rear wall 23.

Thus, it will be seen that the assembled upper hinge segment 2 and hingeplate 5, and the assembled lower hinge segment 3 and hinge plate 6 areidentical in construction, and are interchangeable, the lower hingesegment 3 and the hinge plate 6 merely being an upside down version ofthe upper hinge segment 2 and hinge plate 5 in the assembled hinge 1.

In the assembled hinge 1, when the hinge is disposed in closed position,the hinge segments 2-4 are disposed in the recesses 40 in the hingeplates 5 and 6, and the faces 43 of the hinge plates 5 and 6 aredisposed in parallel juxtaposition to each other, FIGS. 2, 3, and 5.When the hinge 1 is disposed in fully open position, the upper and lowerhinge segments 2 and 3 are disposed in horizontally spaced relation toeach other, and the hinge plates 5 and 6 are disposed in uniplanarrelation to each other, FIG. 7.

An abutment member 44 projects upwardly from the upper face of thecentral body portion 29 of the plate 27 of the intermediate hingesegment 4 in inwardly spaced, relatively closely adjacent relation tothe flange 30 and the rear wall 33 at the left side of the intermediatehinge segment 4, as viewed in FIG. 4. Similarly, an abutment member 45projects downwardly from the central body portion 34 of the lower plate28 of the intermediate hinge segment 4 in inwardly spaced, relativelyclosely adjacent relation to the flange 35 and the rear wall 38, at theright side of the intermediate hinge segment 4, as viewed in FIG. 4.

In the assembled hinge 1, another abutment member 46 projects downwardlyfrom the auxiliary body portion 8 of the upper hinge segment 2, ininwardly spaced, relatively closely adjacent relation to the rear wall12, and to the flange 3%) on the intermediate hinge segment 4, at theright side of the auxiliary body member 8, as viewed in FIG. 3.Similarly, in the assembled hinge 1, another abutment member 47 projectsupwardly from the auxiliary body portion 22 of the lower hinge segment3, in inwardly spaced, relatively closely adjacent relation to the rearwall 23, and to the flange 1% on the lower hinge segment 3, at the leftside of the auxiliary body portion 22, as viewed in FIG. 3.

The pins 44-47 are so disposed in the hinge 1, that when the hinge isdisposed in closed position, as shown in FIG. 3, the abutment members 44and 47 are disposed in vertically aligned relation to each other, andthe abutment members 45 and 46 are disposed in vertically alignedrelation to each other. Thus, the hinge plate 6 may be rotated in aclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, from the position showntherein. During the initial portion of such movement of the hinge plate6, the hinge segment 2 rides along the intermediate hinge segment 4until the pin 46 engages the pin 44, at which time the hinge plates 6and 5 are disposed in perpendicular relation to each other, as shown inFIG. 6. Thereafter, during continued rotation of the hinge plate 6 inclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, both the upper hinge segment 2and the intermediate hinge segment 4 move with the hinge plate 6 untilthe pin 45 engages the pin 47. The engagement of the pins 45 and 47stops the move ment of the hinge plate 6 relative to the hinge plate 5to thereby define the limit of the opening movement of the hinge plate 6relative to the hinge plate 5. The pins 44-47 are so disposed relativeto each other that the hinge plates 5 and 6 may be moved into alignedposition, as shown in FIG. 7, when the hinge 1 is disposed in fullyopened position. Thus, it will be seen that the hinge 1 affords a hingeby which a door may be mounted for full 180 degree rotation.

The abutment members 44-47 may be any suitable type of abutment members,such as, for example, pins or screws mounted in the respective hingesegments 2-4. However, I prefer that the abutment members 46 and 47 bestruck from the auxiliary body portions 8 and 2-2, respectively, andthat the abutment members 44 and 45 be pins or screws mounted in theintermediate hinge segment 4. With this construction, it will be seenthat in assembling the hinge 1, the upper hinge segment and the lowerhinge segment 3 may be disposed in stacked, vertically aligned relationto each other, with the flange 11 resting on top the abutment member 44,the left end of the flange portions 31, 32, 36, and 37 of theintermediate hinge segment 4, as viewed in FIG. 4, may be inserted intothe right ends of the recesses 15, 16, 25, and 26, respectively, of thestacked upper and lower hinge segments 2 and 3, as viewed in FIG. 3.Thereafter, the intermediate hinge segment 4 may be rotated in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, relative to the upperand lower hinge segments 2 and 3, and with the flanges 31, 32, 36, and37 sliding along the recesses 15, 16, 25, and 26, respectively, into aposition wherein the aforementioned left end of the intermediate hingesegment 4, as viewed in FIG. 4, projects outwardly from the left end ofthe upper and lower hinge segmentsZ and 3, FIG. 3, a suflicient distancethat the abutment member 44 may be inserted into operative position inthe intermediate hinge segment 4. With the abutment member 44 thusdisposed in operative position in the intermediate hinge segment 4, thelatter is secured against removal from the upper and lower hingesegments 2 and 3, the abutment members 44 and 46 affording stop membersfor preventing such removal of the intermediate hinge segment 4 byrotation in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, and the abutmentmembers 45 and 47 aflording stop members for preventing such removal ofthe segment 4 by rotation in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed inFIG. 5.

Thus, it will be seen that my novel hinge 1 is so constructed that itmay readily be produced commercially. For example, the hinge plate 5,the upper hinge segment 2, and the upper plate 27 of the intermediatehinge segment 4 are identical in construction to, and fullyinterchangeable with, the hinge plate 6, the lower hinge segment 3, andthe lower plate 28 of the intermediate hinge segment 28, respectively.Also, the hinge 1, unlike many hinges on the market, may be used aseither a left or right hinge. Such construction enables my novel hinge 1to be manufactured with a minimum of different parts, and also enables aminimum number of such hinges to be stored commercially for supplyinghinges to customers who may call for hinges for either left or rightopening doors.

In addition, my novel hinge 1 is so constructed that in all positionsthereof, from fully closed to fully open position, substantialsupporting surfaces on the intermediate hinge segment 4 are operativelyengaged with equally substantial, respective supporting surfaces on boththe upper hinge segment 2 and the lower hinge segment 3, so that good,strong support for a door, or the like, is pro vided by the hinge 1, inall positions of the latter.

In mounting a door, such as a door 48, on a door jamb, such as a jamb49, FIG. 1, the carpenter may quickly and easily chisel or otherwise cutopenings or pockets St) and S1 in the door .48 and the jamb 49,respectively, as shown in FIG. 5. The pockets 56 and 51 need be nolarger in size than that required to snugly but freely receive the endportions of the hinge segments 2-4 projecting perpendicularly outwardlyfrom the hinge plates 6 and 5, respectively. As a practical matter, theopenings 50 and 51 are normally cut in substantially rectangular form asshown in FIG. 5. If desired, the end edges of the door 48 and the jamb49 may also be cut away as indicated at 52 and'53 in the drawings toafford a countersink for receiving the hinge plates 6 and 5,respectively.

The novel hinge 1 is so constructed that only a mini- I mum of materialneed be cut from the door 48 and the E jamb 49, and the portions of thehinge 1 projecting from the hinge plates 5 and 6 are relatively thin sothat the openings 50 and 51 are relatively short, and so that a minimumweakening of the door 48 and the jamb 49 is caused by the formation ofthe openings 50 and 51 therein.

In determining the proper size of the circle of which the hinge segments2 and 3 form a chordal segment, I prefer to follow the followingprocedure:

(1) Multiply the thickness of the door on which the hinge is to be usedby 2; (2) Multiply the product obtained in step 1 by A; and (3) Subtractthe product obtained in step 2 from the product obtained in step 1, andthe difference thus .obtained is the preferred diameter of the circle ofwhich the hinge segments 2 and 3 form chordal segments.

Thus, for example, if the thickness of the door on which the hinge is tobe used is one inch, the diameter of the circle of which the hingesegments 2 and 3 form a chordal segment should preferably be one andone-half inches. So as to assure adequate strength in the portion 54 ofthe door 48 and the portion 55 in the jamb 49, between the pockets 50and 51 and the faces 56 and 57 of the door 48 and the jamb 49,respectively, and, also to insure free pivotal movement of the hinge 1during opening and closing of the door, I prefer to form the hingesegments 2 and 3 of such a size that they are nine-tenths of asemicircle. Thus, for example, in the preferred form of my hinge 1, thehinge segments 2 and 3 of a hinge to be used with a one inch door wouldhave a width from the midpoint of the chord thereof to the point on thearcuate periphery along a line running from the aforementioned midpointperpendicular to the chord, of nine-tenths of three-fourths of an inchor, in other words, 675 thousandths of an inch. With this construction,the pockets and 51 may be spaced inwardly from the surfaces 56 and 57 asufficient distance that the portions 54 and of the door 48 and the jamb49 are relatively thick and, therefore, are relatively strong, whilestill permitting free opening and closing movement of the door 48relative to the jamb 49.

It will be seen that my hinge 1 affords anovel hinge which is practicaland effiicient in operation, and which may be readily and economicallyproduced commercially.

In FIG. 9 a modified form of the hinge shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, is shown.The hinge illustrated by FIG. 9 is identical in construction to thehinge shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, except that in each of the upper and lowerhinge plates 2 and 3 an opening 58 is formed in the flange portions 10and 11, thereof, respectively, on the line which is perpendicular to themidpoint of the end Wall 12 and 21 of the upper and lower hinge segments2 and 3, respectively, as illustrated in the lower hinge plate 3 shownin FIG. 9. With this construction, during the assembly of the auxiliarybody portions 8 and 22 into the main body portions 7 and 17,respectively, in hinge segments 2 and 3 wherein the main body portionsand auxiliary body portions thereof are constructed from two separatepieces, a suitable tool, or other stop member may be inserted throughthe opening 58 into the hinge segment 2 or 3, being assembled, foraccurately determining the proper position of the auxiliary bodyportions 8 and 22 in' the main body portions 7 and 17, respectively.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention affords anovel and practical hinge wherein all of the parts thereof may be formedby relatively simple and inexpensive operations, such as, for examplestamping operations, and the like.

Also, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novelconcealed hinge which affords strong support for door structures, andthe like, mounted thereon.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodimentsof my invention, his to be understood that these are capable ofvariation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited tothe precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changesand alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. The method of making a hinge comprising (a) forming an upper hingesegment and a lower hinge segment, with each segment having (1) a mainbody portion in the form of a chordal segment of a circle, and

(2) an auxiliary body portion (a') in the form of a chordal segmenthaving a chord length shorter than the chord length of said main bodyportion, and

(13') mounted on said main body portions with the chords of said bodyportions disposed in uniplanar relation to each other, and with thearcuate periphery of'said auxiliary body portion disposed radiallyinwardly of the outer peripheral edge portion of said main body portionin parallel relation to the outer peripheral edge of said main bodyportion,

(b) bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each main body portionoutwardly of the arcuate peripheral edge of the respective auxiliarybody portion thereon into spaced parallel relation to the arcuateperipheral edge of said respective auxiliary body portion,

(0) bending the outermost peripheral edge portion of each of said mainbody portions into parallel spaced relation to said respective auxiliarybody portion on the side of said respective auxiliary body portionremote from the central body portion of said lastmentioned main bodyportion,

(d) forming an intermediate hinge segment by (1) forming an upper bodyportion and a lower body portion, each of which is in the form of asubstantially flat chordal section having an outer face and an innerface,

(2) then bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each of saidlast-mentioned body members into position wherein it forms one flangeprojecting outwardly from the central portion of the outer face of therespective body memher,

'(3) then bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each of. said oneflange into position wherein it forms a second flange projectingoutwardly beyond the respective central outer face portion in a planedisposed in substantially parallel spaced relation to said respectivecentral outer face portion,

(4) then bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each of saidsecond flanges into position wherein it forms a third flange projectingoutwardly therefrom in a plane disposed in substantially parallel spacedrelation to the plane of the respective one flange to which it isattached, and

(5) securing said upper and lower body members together in alignedstacked relation to each other with said central portion of said innerfaces disposed in juxtaposition to each other and with the chordal sidesof said upper and lower body members in transversely aligned uniplanarrelation to each other.,

(e) securing hinge plates to respective ones of said upper and lowerhinge segments for movement therewith,

(f) disposing said upper and lower hinge segments in aligned stackedrelation to each other with 'said outermost peripheral edge portionsdisposed in juxtaposition to each other,

(g) inserting said intermediate hinge segments into said upper and lowerhinge segments in position wherein (1) each of said third flanges isdisposed between a respective one of said auxiliary body portions andsaid peripheral edge portion of a main body member disposed parallelthereto, and

(2) each of said second flanges is disposed between, and in slidingengagement with a respective one of said auxiliary body portions andsaid outermost peripheral edge portion of a main body portion disposedin spaced parallel relation thereto, and

(h) placing abutment means on said intermediate hinge segment inposition to abuttingly engage portions of said upper and lowerhingesegments in position to limit movement of said hinge plat srelative to each other to movement in an arc of substantially 180degrees.

2. The method of making a hinge comprising (a) forming two blanks in theform of a chordal segment of a circle for the main body portions of anupper hinge segment and a lower hinge segment, respectively,

(b) bending the outer arcuate peripheral edge portion of each of saidblanks into perpendicular relation to the remainder of said blank toform a first flange,

(c) bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each of said firstflanges into position wherein it is disposed in substantiallyperpendicular relation to said first flange to thereby form a secondflange which is disposed substantially parallel to said remainder ofsaid blank,

(d) forming two other blanks in the form of a chordal segment of acircle for the auxiliary body portions of respective ones of said hingesegments,

(e) securing each of said other blanks to a respective one of saidfirst-mentioned blanks in position Wherein said other blank is disposedon said remainder of said first-mentioned blank between saidlast-mentioned remainder and said second flange in spaced parallelrelation to the latter, and the peripheral edge of said other blank isdisposed in radially inwardly spaced parallel relation to said firstflange on said respective first blank to thereby complete said upper andlower hinge segments, respectively,

(f) forming an intermediate hinge segment by (1) forming an upper bodyportion and a lower body portion, each of which is in the form of asubstantially flat chordal section having an outer face and an innerface,

(2) then bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each of saidlast-mentioned body members into position wherein it forms a thirdflange projecting outwardly from the central portion of the outer faceof the respective body memher,

(3) then bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each of said thirdflanges into position wherein it forms a fourth flange projectingoutwardly beyond the respective central outer face portion in a planedisposed in substantially parallel spaced relation to said respectivecen tral outer face portion,

(4) then bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each of saidfourth flanges into position wherein it forms a fifth flange projectingout wardly therefrom in a plane disposed in substantially parallelspaced relation to the plane of the respective third flange to which itis attached, and

(5) securing said upper and lower body members together in alignedstacked relation to each other with said central portion of said innerfaces disposed in juxtaposition to each other and with the chordal sidesof said upper and lower body members disposed in transversely aligneduniplanar relation to each other,

(g) securing hinge plates to respective ones of said upper and lowerhinge segments for movement therewith,

(h) disposing said upper and lower hinge segments in aligned stackedrelation to each other with said second flanges disposed injuxtaposition to each other,

(i) inserting said intermediate hinge segment into said upper and lowerhinge segments in position where- (1) each of said fourth flanges isdisposed between a respective one of said auxiliary body portions andsaid second flange disposed parallel thereto in sliding engagement withsaid second flange, and

(2) each of said fifth flanges is disposed between a respective one ofsaid auxiliary body portions and said first flange disposed radiallyoutwardly thereof, and

(j) placing abutment means on said intermediate hinge segment inposition to abuttingly engage portions of said upper and lower hingesegments in position to limit movement of said hinge plates relative toeach other to movement in an arc of substantially degrees.

3. A hinge comprising (a) an upper hinge segment,

(b) a lower hinge segment,

(c) an intermediate hinge segment,

(d) each of said hinge segments being in the form of chrodal segments ofa circle,

(e) said upper and lower hinge segments each having (l) a main bodyportion in the form of a chordal segment of a circle, and v .(2) anauxiliary body portion in the form of a chordal segment of a circle andhaving a shorter chord length than said main body portion,

(f) each of said main body portions including a flange on the arcuateperipheral edge portion thereof which is substantially L-shaped intransverse cross-section,

(g) each of said flanges having (1) one leg disposed substantiallyperpendicular to the remainder of said main body portion of which itforms a part, and

(2) another leg projecting radially inwardly from said one leg andoverlying said auxiliary body portion,

(h) each of said auxiliary body portions (1) projecting from arespective one of said main body portions toward said other leg thereon,and

(2) having its arcuate peripheral edge portion disposed in parallelradially inwardly spaced relation to said one leg on said last-mentionedmain body portion,

(i) the arcuate peripheral edge portion of said intermediate hingesegment having two flange portions, (j) each of said last-mentionedflange portions being disposed between said auxiliary body portion andsaid one leg, and between said auxiliary body portion and said other legof respective ones of said first two-mentioned hinge segments ininterlocking engagement therewith for holding all of said hinge segmentsagainst lateral movement relative to each other,

(k) two hinge plates mounted on and movable with respective ones of saidupper and lower hinge segments,

(1) said hinge segments having a closed position wherein they aredisposed in stacked vertically aligned position,

(m) said singe segments being rotatable relative to 1 each other aroundthe radial center axis of said arcuate peripheral edge portions fromsaid closed position through a path of movement effective to rotare saidupper and lower hinge segments relative to each other through an arc of180 degrees into an open position, and (-n) abutment means on said hingesegments for limiting said rotation of said upper and lower hingesegments relative to each other. 4. A hinge as defined in claim 3, andin which (a) said two flange portions of said intermediate hinge segmentare disposed on respective members in the form of chordal segments of acircle, (b) each of said chordal segment members has a su stantiallyfiat face, and r (c) said chordal segment members are secured togetherwith said faces disposed in abutting engagement with each other. 5. Ahinge as defined in claim 4, and in which (a) each of said main bodyportions has a substantially flat central face, (h) each of saidauxiliary body portions has a substantially fiat face, and (c) said mainbody portion and said auxiliary body portion of each of saidfirst-mentioned two hinge segments are secured together with said facesthereof disposedin abutting engagement with each other. 6. A hinge asdefined in claim 3, and in which (a) said abutment means comprise (1)two abutment members carried by respective ones of said auxiliary bodymembers radially inwardly of said one leg on said respective main bodyportion on which said auxiliary body portion is mounted, and in positionto project directly toward said intermediate hinge segment when saidhinge segments are disposed in said closed position, and (2) two otherabutment members carried by said intermediate hinge segment radiallyinwardly of said flange portions thereof and projecting towardrespective ones of said auxiliary body portions in position toa'buttingly engage a respective one of said first-mentioned abutmentmembers when said hinge segments are disposed in said open position, atleast one of said other abutment members being removable from saidintermediate hinge segment. 5 7. A hinge as defined in claim 3, and inwhich each of said hinge plates has a substantially fiat flange portionsecured in substantially parallel juxtaposition to a portion of arespective one of said first-mentioned two hinge segments remote fromthe other of said first-mentioned two hinge segments and in which eachof said hinge plates has another portion projecting from said respectivehinge segments in substantially perpendicular relation to saidfirstamentioned portion thereof for securing each hinge plate to arespective hinge segment.

-8. A hinge as defined in claim 3, and in which said one leg of each ofsaid flanges has an opening therethrough on a line substantiallyperpendicular to the chordal edge portion of the respective main bodyportion, whereby tool means may be inserted through said opening foraccurately determining the proper position of the auxiliary bodyportions in the main body portions.

-9. A hinge as defined in claim 3 wherein said chordal segment membersare formed from metal and are identical in construction.

510. A hinge as defined in claim 3, and in which each of said hingeplates has a substantially flat flange portion secured in substantiallyparallel juxtaposition to a portion of a respective one of saidfirst-mentioned two hinge segments remote from the other of saidfirst-mentioned two hinge segments.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JOSEPH D. SEERS,Primary Examiner.

DONLEY I. STOCKING, Examiner.

D. GRIFFIN, Assistant Examiner.

3. A HINGE COMPRISING (A) AN UPPER HINGE SEGMENT, (B) A LOWER HINGESEGMENT, (C) AN INTERMEDIATE HINGE SEGMENT, (D) EACH OF SAID HINGESEGMENTS BEING IN THE FORM OF CHRODAL SEGMENTS OF A CIRCLE, (E) SAIDUPPER AND LOWER HINGE SEGMENTS EACH HAVING (1) A MAIN BODY PORTION INTHE FORM OF A CHORDAL SEGMENT OF A CIRCLE, AND (2) AN AUXILIARY BODYPORTION IN THE FORM OF A CHORDAL SEGMENT OF A CIRCLE AND HAVING ASHORTER CHORD LENGTH THAN SAID MAIN BODY PORTION, (F) EACH OF SAID MAINBODY PORTIONS INCLUDING A FLANGE ON THE ARCUATE PERIPHERAL EDGE PORTIONTHEREOF WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY L-SHAPED IN TRANSVERSE CROSS-SECTION, (G)EACH OF SAID FLANGES HAVING (1) ONE LEG DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLYPERPENDICULAR TO THE REMAINDER OF SAID MAIN BODY PORTION OF WHICH ITFORMS A PART, AND (2) ANOTHER LEG PROJECTING RADIALLY INWARDLY FROM SAIDONE LEG AND OVERLYING SAID AUXILIARY BODY PORTION, (H) EACH OF SAIDAUXILIARY BODY PORTIONS (1) PROJECTING FROM A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAIDMAIN BODY PORTIONS TOWARD SAID OTHER LEG THEREON, AND (2) HAVING ITSARCUATE PERIPHERAL EDGE PORTION DISPOSED IN PARALLEL RADIALLY INWARDLYSPACED RELATION TO SAID ONE LEG ON SAID LAST-MENTIONED MAIN BODYPORTION, (I) THE ARCUATE PERIPHERAL EDGE PORTION OF SAID INTERMEDIATEHINGE SEGMENT HAVING TWO FLANGE PORTIONS, (J) EACH OF SAIDLAST-MENTIONED FLANGE PORTIONS BEING DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID AUXILIARYBODY PORTION AND SAID ONE LEG, AND BETWEEN SAID AUXILIARY BODY PORTIONAND SAID AND SAID OTHER LEG OF RESPECTIVE ONES OF SAID FIRSTTWO-MENTIONED HINGE SEGMENTS IN INTERLOCKING ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH FORHOLDING ALL OF SAID HINGE SEGMENTS AGAINST LATERAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TOEACH OTHER, (K) TWO HINGE PLATES MOUNTED ON AND MOVABLE WITH RESPECTIVEONES OF SAID UPPER AND LOWER HINGE SEGMENTS, (L) SAID HINGE SEGMENTSHAVING A CLOSED POSITION WHEREIN THEY ARE DISPOSED IN STACKED VERTICALLYALIGNED POSITION, (M) SAID SINGE SEGMENTS BEING ROTATABLE RELATIVE TOEACH OTHER AROUND THE RADIAL CENTER AXIS OF SAID ARCUATE PERIPHERAL EDGEPORTIONS FROM SAID CLOSED POSITION THROUGH A PATH OF MOVEMENT EFFECTIVETO ROTATE SAID UPPER AND LOWER HINGE SEGMENTS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHERTHROUGH AN ARC OF 180 DEGREES INTO AN OPEN POSITION, AND (N) ABUTMENTMEANS ON SAID HINGE SEGMENTS FOR LIMITING SAID ROTATION OF SAID UPPERAND LOWER HINGE SEGMENTS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER.